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2 Firefighters Fired Over Racist Float

NEW YORK — Two firefighters who wore blackface on a Labor Day parade float that depicted the dragging death of a black man were fired Monday.

Accepting an administrative judge's recommendation, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen said the off-duty behavior of Robert Steiner and Jonathan Walters, both 29, deserved the severest penalty.

"I significantly noted the egregious nature of the actions, their unwillingness to accept responsibility for their actions," Von Essen wrote. "Such conduct on the part of firefighters and of firefighters and peace officers cannot and must not be condoned by the department."

Earlier this month, Police Commissioner Howard Safir fired Joseph Locurto, a police officer who also was on the holiday parade float Sept. 7.